Avery County, North Carolina – Some people were at first suspicious of the stranger who rolled up in flood-ravaged Avery County in western north carolina There is some sort of Santa being claimed this week.
Still, he persisted, contacting people in parking lots, grocery stores and even motel rooms where they Displaced by Hurricane Helen still sheltering in place Three months after the devastating storm,
Every year, this anonymous, rich businessman travels the country donating during the holidays Approximately $100,000 in $100 bills,
The money goes to unknowing strangers and people he seeks out, knowing they are in need. Why did you do it this secret santa Want to come to North Carolina?
“I think when people go through tragedy, they can lose their home – all their stuff,” he told CBS News. “But the one thing they can't lose is hope. And maybe we can provide a little hope.”
Jamie Guinn was among those they searched for. During the height of Helen, a landslide struck the garage of the Avery County home where Guinn lived with his wife, Melissa.
“I grabbed her and said, 'At least we've got each other,'” Jamie told CBS News. “'We can fix the house.' And it wasn't until 10 minutes later that it happened, and I remember just being crushed.”
The second landslide engulfed the entire house and took Melissa's life.
“Actually you haven't lost her because she's with you and she's smiling at you right now,” Secret Santa told Guinn.
It's those words of comfort – the hug and hope from a complete stranger – that really seem to move people more than the money.
“This is the gift that you haven't forgotten about, that we know you're there for,” Secret Santa said. “And we care.”
Secret Santa always says that kindness is the bridge between all people – a bridge that can't be burned, bombed or washed away in floods. It's always there, just waiting for us to come across it.
